State Candidate PAC
Endorsement Process and Guidelines

EQCA endorses viable candidates running for statewide offices and the state legislature who have a proven track record of supporting equal rights and legal protections for LGBT Californians and who are committed to advancing these goals in their capacity as elected officials.

Endorsement Process
All candidates for offices in which EQCA makes endorsements will be asked to fill out a questionnaire to submit to EQCA’s PAC Committee for review and consideration. The PAC will conduct candidate interviews and make endorsement recommendations to the EQCA board for its ratification.

Candidate Considerations

Candidate must be 100% in support of LGBT equality to be considered for endorsement.

Candidate must be viable and able to run a competitive campaign.

Candidate’s depth of work in support of full LGBT equality.

Is candidate openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender?

Will this candidate diversify our support base in Sacramento?

NOTE: A candidate who is not 100 percent in support of full LGBT equality is not eligible for endorsement.

Incumbent Candidates
Absent extraordinary circumstances, EQCA will endorse incumbent elected officials running for reelection who scored 100% on EQCA’s legislative agenda. These candidates are not required to submit a new questionnaire and are considered to be in full support of equality.

Multiple Endorsement
EQCA will not endorse more than one candidate in any race except in those rare circumstances where EQCA determines that more than one endorsement is warranted, such as where more than one candidate has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and/or would serve as an important role model for the LGBT community such that each candidate would equally advance full and lasting equality for the LGBT community.

No Endorsement
EQCA may choose not to make an endorsement in any race.

Endorsement Reconsideration
In cases where an EQCA endorsed candidate does not progress to the general election or to the run-off of a special election, or if an endorsed candidate drops out of an election, EQCA may endorse another candidate who meets the endorsement criteria.